In most societies, we have equated darkness and light as opposing sides. Light is good, and dark is bad. The villain wears black, and the hero wears white. Most times, this is true, but not always.
We live in a fallen world of darkness. Deception and all other tactics of the enemy abound. We are in a culture where evil is called good and good is called evil (Isaiah 5:20). Therefore, we need wisdom and understanding. Darkness can be a bad thing, but sometimes God uses darkness to BRING light.
Let's take a look at some ways that darkness can be good.
DREAMS - Dreams happen in the darkness and can bring light to problems; they can be instructive or corrective.
"For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds." - Job 33:14-15
"In the last days, God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams'." - Acts 2:17
KABOD - The Bible sometimes describes Darkness as the weight of God's presence. The darkness that surrounds God protects us from being consumed by the brilliance of His glory and righteousness.
"The LORD spoke these words to all of you assembled there at the foot of the mountain. He spoke with a loud voice from the heart of the fire, surrounded by clouds and deep darkness. This was all he said at that time, and he wrote his words on two stone tablets and gave them to me". - Deuteronomy 5:22
"He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dense rain clouds." – 2 Sam. 22:12 (also Psalm 18:9-11)
"Dark clouds surround him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne." - Psalm 97:2
LIFE - Darkness is the place where life grows. Seeds grow in the darkness of the earth. Humans and animals grow in the darkness of the womb.
"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations." – Jeremiah 1:5
"The farmer plants seed by taking God's word to others." - Mark 4:14
"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels--a plentiful harvest of new lives." - John 12:24
OPEN EYES - Mankind is in darkness (blindness) until they come to the Lord.
"I will lead blind Israel down a new path, guiding them along an unfamiliar way. I will brighten the darkness before them and smooth out the road ahead of them. Yes, I will indeed do these things; I will not forsake them. "- Isaiah 42:16
RHYTHM - God has a rhythm that starts in darkness, then light piercing the darkness brings life.
"Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light." - Genesis 1:3
TRUTH - When darkness increases, it reveals the truth or root of what is causing it. Then the light of truth can be applied to bring the transformation.
"For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them." - Ephesians 5:8-13
TREASURES - Darkness has treasures. Secret and hidden things are a type of darkness. They are like buried treasures, waiting for God to reveal them or for us to search them out.
"And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness--secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name." - Isaiah 45:3
"It is God's privilege to conceal things and the king's privilege to discover them." - Proverbs 25:2
In times of darkness remember that God, the Father of Lights, is still in charge, still working, still moving, still bringing light.
All scripture references from NLT
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